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Old 04-19-2004, 12:12 PM
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Flyin_Freddie Flyin_Freddie is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Germantown, TN,
Cobra Make, Engine: Superformance #770, Stroked 351W (393 cubes) w/ Tremec TKO-600, 3.27 Torsen locker, 'Hi-Tech' Blue w/ White Stripes, Wilwoods, Bilstein coil overs...and a big ear-to-ear grin!
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Unhappy My Friend...Bob Olthoff

I called Dennis Saturday, looking for a little ol' part for #770's license plate light. But, when we talked, I sensed something was wrong - terribly wrong. When I asked, he told me his Dad, Bob, wasn't expected to make it through the day. I knew Bob had been fighting, but I had little idea he was back in the hospital. Dennis promised me he would call if there was any news. After I hung up, I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer for my good friend, Bob, and his family.

When the phone rang Sunday morning at 7:29, I already knew who was calling before I answered. As I feared, it was Dennis to say that Bob had passed away earlier that morning. I felt like someone had just hit me in the stomach....and the tears just flowed.

Unlike some have said, Bob wasn't "one of the best"...he was simply "THE Best"...period. He had forgotten more about these little cars than most of us will ever know. His knowledge, and
frank, matter-of-fact style was something I had grown to count on since I bought #770 from him and Dennis in September of 2000. Truth be known...and some of you will be surprised at this...when I went into Olthoff Racing that afternoon, I wanted the biggest block he could put under the hood! But, in true Bob Olthoff fashion, he explained to me how much better a small block handled, and how all SAI's victories came with small blocks, and how no one really needed a big block in these cars. His knowledge and wisdom were repeated to me over and over in the past three-and-a-half years, and his friendship has meant so much to me.

Under Bob's tutelage at VIR, I learned to go a little faster than I had been when I first drove out onto the hot grid. I never got near as fast and smooth as Bob...and I never will...but, still, I never failed to ask him for a ride, or ask him to drive #770 with me in the passenger seat. I seemed to learn a little more each time...a little closer to Bob's style of driving. As some have already mentioned...he was smooooooth...Lord knows he was smooth...he never seemed to look like he was working hard...even as he drifted around Oak Tree and on down the straight, his voice never showed any excitement...just calm explanation of what he was doing, and how to do it. You'd look sometimes and he was turning the wheel in the opposite direction the car was drifting, and you never even felt it...he was so adept at balancing the car just on the verge of adhesion....maybe a little over, but fully under control at all times.

As Brian Sullivan (Hydramada) already posted on our Superformance forum, Ron Frohs and I went with Brian to pick up his car. Knowing Bob liked J&B Scotch, I bought him a big party size which we delivered to his home when they invited us up...since we had arrived just after the shop closed. We sat around in his living room, enjoying some J&B over some ice and talking about his homeland, South Africa. Surrounding us were paintings of South African scenes ...mostly landscapes...big panoramas of the countryside. Both Bob and Baby seemed so proud to tell of of their homeland, and both seemed grateful that we had asked. Not wanting to interrupt their evening for too long, we finally headed to the hotel and said we'd get Brian's car in the morning. One last little gulp of J&B, and we were off to the hotel.

Ohhhh...what I'd give to be able to have another scotch with Bob! In fact, I have an unopened bottle of J&B in my 'traveling bar' that I had intended to present to Bob in January when I went to Mooresville to pick up #770 after having my Accusump and Canton baffled road race pan installed. But, as luck would have it, I didn't remember to pull the bottle out of my box and take it with me. Then, when I got there, I got so busy picking up my trailer, loading the car, paying the bill, etc, etc, etc....that I simply forgot about it. Now...I'll probably never open that bottle, but will put it up and think about Bob whenever I see it.

Bob's whole again. He's not having problems breathing, and he's not in any pain at all. He's up there with my Dad, and Ronnie Reed...and they're all having a little drink....maybe it's a J&B...
maybe it's my Dad's favorite, Canadian Club...I dunno. But, I do know that Sunday morning, Heaven welcomed one of their newest angels, Bob Olthoff, home.

Ron Frohs, Brian Sullivan, and I got together Sunday morning and took a little cruise...it was our way of honoring Bob's memory. He touched each of our cars, and each of our hearts and lives, as well, and he was constantly on my mind through out our cruise.

As I told Dennis Sunday morning, my thoughts, prayers, and heart are with Baby, Dennis and Cheryl during this most difficult time. Again, I extend my deepest sympathies to each of Bob's family. There's nothing any of us can say at a time like this to make this any easier...but, just know that we're here and thinking of them.

Several of Bob's customers are planning on attending the Service on Wednesday morning. We're doing our best to have as many Superformance cars there as we can. I can't think of a more fitting tribute to Bob than filling the parking lot with the thunder we've all grown to love...loud enough for Bob to hear us up there!

Drive on, Bob....roads are long, life is short....I'll miss you, my Friend...
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Flyin_Freddie
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Last edited by Flyin_Freddie; 04-19-2004 at 12:23 PM..
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